Destination Weddings - How to Nail your Travel
Travelling for your wedding day may require additional research, attention to detail and planning, but it also adds a layer of richness, excitement and wonder, and provides you and your loved ones with memories you can cherish for a lifetime.
Written by our seasoned traveler and your go to stylist - Fiora
Combining your wedding day with a trip away also extends the celebration to last for the whole duration of the trip, and seamlessly transitions you from wedding mode to honeymoon mode.
I personally think travelling is one of the greatest feelings in the world. The only feeling that could beat it? Travelling and then getting married to the love of your life mid-trip! And what better place to do it than New Zealand.
With all that said, it’s clear I believe the time and money spent are well worth it for a destination wedding, and with the right planning and preparation, it doesn’t need to be stressful.
So, you are all set to go; you have planned your trip, you have planned your wedding, everything is set in motion. You only have one responsibility remaining, which happens to be the most important one – looking after your health. Travel, especially international travel, can be hard on the body. I have put together my top tips to fly well.
The day before you fly.
Always exercise the day before your flight and include cardio and stretching if possible. Cardio gets your metabolism going, and you are about to be seated for however many hours. Stretching helps to avoid stiffness. Physical fatigue will also help to ensure a good night’s sleep before you fly.
Booking flight times.
While it might be appealing to book that 6am flight that costs $400 less than the 1pm one, don’t do it. This is the one time in your life you can justify splashing out on a flight at a decent hour. One thing I have learned over my travels is that paying extra for comfort is incredibly worth it at the times you need it. On that note, pay for seat select too.
The main thing you can do to support your health in the lead up to your big day is to get enough sleep, and you don’t need one of those sleepless nights where you’re checking the clock every hour, nor do you need the stress of rushing to the airport in the morning. It is one of life’s luxuries to have a slow, self-care filled morning; featuring a walk or gym session followed by a sit-down breakfast before you casually head to the airport. You will also have time to get ready properly, rather than looking like you have just rolled out of bed. Airports have a lot of reflective surfaces, and there is a lot of people-watching going on; it is quite nice to feel like you look half decent.
What to wear.
Airports require lots of walking, queueing, bag carrying and waiting. Walking for 10 minutes to find a gate with your carry on can work up a sweat, while waiting in the blasting air conditioning can be freezing. Inflight temperatures vary dramatically as well, and don’t even get me started on the fluctuating climate in Queenstown! Who knows what it will be like when you land. No matter the season, go for loose, light layers that you can strip down and layer up easily, and shoes that are comfortable to walk long distances in.
What to bring in carry on.
The only items worth the hassle of carry on are your wedding dress as well as any other aspects of your outfit on the day that are irreplaceable (veil, expensive shoes, family heirlooms, diamond tiara etc.). Otherwise, the short answer is to bring as little as possible. The less you have to carry, the easier flying will be.
Check with your dressmaker or bridal boutique ahead of time how best to fly with your particular dress and check with your airline about carry on requirements. Invest in a good garment bag, complete with a hanger, and ideally, if possible for your dress, one that can be folded up easily. If the garment bag can fit into your carry on, even better.
Appeal to the flight crew’s better interests before you board (in other words, be very charming) and let them know you’re on your way to get married – I promise they will help you find you a safe space for your dress on board.
Other items to bring:
A high quality power bank is the holy grail for travel. Bonus points if it has a stand for your phone. Mine is a Garmin and she has never let me down.
Bluetooth earphones: so you can charge your phone while still connected.
Earplugs and a silk sleeping mask (black is best). If you struggle to sleep while flying, I cannot stress this one enough. Blocking out your senses makes you feel like you’re in a padded bubble. Lush. If your ears are small like mine, I recommend cutting foam earplugs in half – it makes them far more comfortable and they won’t fall out.
On that note, if we’re sleeping, here is a link to NY Times’ best travel pillows.
Spare base layers/underwear.
A piece of fruit. You might get hungry and want something wholesome.
A facial misting spray to keep your skin hydrated. Obviously, bring any other essential mini toiletries, but keep it minimal! And don’t start using new products on the plane just because they’re minis.
If you are prone to blocked ears or sinus headaches, pack chewing gum and nasal spray. Either chewing gum or sucking a hard candy on the flight descent will help to keep your sinus passages open. Nasal spray helps to unblock them. I find Otrivin as the best, but like with any medication, take it sparingly and only as a backup.
Sleep + Jet lag.
While not relevant for short-haul flights, sorting out your jet lag is a life hack that can be mastered. While we recommend arriving at your destination with a couple of spare days to adjust to the time zone regardless, there are tips and tricks to make that transition smoother.
Get Lots of Sleep Before You Fly!
I know I sound like a broken record here, but sleep really is best. It is best for your brain, your beauty, your metabolism and your immunity. Once the excitement starts at your destination, you probably won’t get as much sleep as you need, so do your best to get as much rest in as possible before you leave home.
Flying East to West
It is well-known that flying East to West is easier on the body. If this is an option, go for it. If it’s not, it is just something to be aware of.
Time Zone Adjusting
As soon as you get to the airport, start operating in the time zone of your destination. If it is night-time where you have just left, and day time where you are going, and then you sleep for 8 hours, all you are doing is delaying your jet lag. I recommend staying awake for as long as possible, and then, if you are exhausted and simply cannot stay awake, to sleep for just an hour or two then force yourself awake. Yes, even forcing a wakeup when you’re fast asleep. This might be a controversial take, but I swear it works. If you do it right, you should sleep through the whole night at your destination and be adjusted from there on. If you are not sufficiently tired at night, you will be wide awake for hours in the middle of the night, and the pattern will take a couple of days to shake.
Meals
Never underestimate the effect of mealtimes (and coffee) on your circadian rhythm. Some people find it best to not eat at all while flying, but I don’t necessarily recommend that. If you can, limit your food intake when eating at odd hours and aim for mealtimes in your new time zone. Airlines will try to stuff you with meals every three hours. Avoid processed foods, sugars and anything too heavy. If you need to eat, keep it light, and stick to simple fruits, veg and light proteins, and easily digestible carbohydrates like rice.
Alcohol + Hydration.
Nothing like a red wine on the plane, right? Wrong. Unfortunately, alcohol and sleep do not mix well. While it might put you to sleep initially, alcohol messes with your sleep and health in the long run and obviously dehydrates you. At most other times, sure, have a drink on the plane! But for this particular flight, stick to water, and make sure you are having plenty of that.
At the end of the day, you know your own body and what you can handle best, but a lot of people get sick after long-haul flights, and you want to do everything in your power to avoid that. You have put so much time, money and energy into this trip, and it’s just one flight. You can drink on the flight home!
Imagery: from Brad + Lindsay’s wedding by Bayly&Moore
